Stage 6 Overview: Inverness to Kirkwall

Stage 06

Inverness Airport (EGPE) to Kirkwall (EGPA)

Scottish Highlands to the Orkney Islands

Distance
103.0 NM
Est. Time (ETE)
01h 02m
Target Alt
2,500–3,500 ft
Touch & Gos
0 (Full Stop)

Route Map & Radio Navaids Visual

WIK VOR/DME (113.60): Outbound reference for mainland coastal tracking
KWL VOR/DME (108.60): Over-water approach and tracking into Orkney
SCOTTISH INFO (119.875): Basic service for traffic awareness outside controlled airspace

Navigation & Waypoint Breakdown

Ident Type Track (°M) Nav Aid / Radial Alt Leg Total ETE Landmarks & Notes
EGPE Departure — INS 109.20 R-015 31 ft 0.0 NM 0.0 NM 00:00 Depart Inverness; track north across the Black Isle to exit CTR.
DORNOCH Coastal VRP 015° WIK 113.60 R-239 3,000 ft 23.0 NM 23.0 NM 00:13 Dornoch Firth crossing; track northeast up the Sutherland coast.
EGPC Reporting Pt 045° WIK 113.60 R-028 3,000 ft 45.0 NM 68.0 NM 00:40 Wick Airfield; transition coastal cliffs tracking towards Duncansby.
DUNCANSBY Coastal VRP 028° KWL 108.60 R-175 3,500 ft 15.0 NM 83.0 NM 00:49 Pass sea stacks at Duncansby Head; prepare for over-water crossing.
EGPA Arrival 355° KWL 108.60 R-355 52 ft 20.0 NM 103.0 NM 01:02 Cross Pentland Firth; enter Orkney airspace for full-stop at Kirkwall.

Stage Highlights & Scenic Landmarks

Coastal Landmark

Dornoch Firth

A stunning, wide coastal inlet separating Ross-shire from Sutherland. Known for its expansive sandbars and the historic Dornoch Cathedral.

Scenic VRP

Duncansby Head & John O’Groats

The absolute northeastern tip of the British mainland. Look out for the massive Duncansby Stacks—jagged rock formations jutting violently from the sea.

Over-Water Transit

Pentland Firth Crossing

The strait separating the mainland from the Orkney Islands. Famous for harboring some of the strongest tidal currents and whirlpools in the world.

Destination Arrival

Kirkwall Airport (EGPA)

Situated on the Orkney Mainland, this airfield operates vital inter-island flights and acts as your gateway into the rugged Northern Isles.

Radio Navigation Frequencies

  • Wick VOR/DME (WIK): 113.60 MHz
  • Kirkwall VOR/DME (KWL): 108.60 MHz
  • Inverness Tower: 118.405 MHz
  • Scottish Information: 119.875 MHz

Local Cautions & Procedures

  • Over-Water Safety: A 20 NM crossing over cold, turbulent water requires adequate preparation. Immersion suits and a life raft are highly recommended for the Pentland Firth crossing.
  • Weather Shifts: Coastal Haar (sea fog) can roll in rapidly along the Caithness coast and Orkney. Ensure strict adherence to VFR weather minimums.
  • Inverness Departure: Standard Class D exit procedures apply. Maintain two-way radio comms until cleared en-route by Inverness Radar.

Download MSFS Flight Plan (.PLN)

Copy the XML snippet below and save it as UK_Coastal_Stage_06.pln to load directly into Microsoft Flight Simulator:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<SimBase.Document>
    <FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
        <Title>EGPE to EGPA Stage 6 UK Coastal Circumnavigation</Title>
        <FPType>VFR</FPType>
        <RouteType>Direct</RouteType>
        <CruisingAlt>3000</CruisingAlt>
        <DepartureID>EGPE</DepartureID>
        <DepartureLLA>N57° 32' 24.00",W4° 03' 00.00",+000031.00</DepartureLLA>
        <DestinationID>EGPA</DestinationID>
        <DestinationLLA>N58° 57' 17.00",W2° 54' 12.00",+000052.00</DestinationLLA>
        <ATCWaypoint id="EGPE">
            <ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N57° 32' 24.00",W4° 03' 00.00",+000031.00</WorldPosition>
            <ICAO><ICAORegion>EG</ICAORegion><ICAOIdent>EGPE</ICAOIdent></ICAO>
        </ATCWaypoint>
        <ATCWaypoint id="DORNOCH">
            <ATCWaypointType>User</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N57° 52' 00.00",W3° 58' 00.00",+003000.00</WorldPosition>
        </ATCWaypoint>
        <ATCWaypoint id="EGPC">
            <ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N58° 27' 32.00",W3° 05' 35.00",+003000.00</WorldPosition>
            <ICAO><ICAORegion>EG</ICAORegion><ICAOIdent>EGPC</ICAOIdent></ICAO>
        </ATCWaypoint>
        <ATCWaypoint id="DUNCANSBY">
            <ATCWaypointType>User</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N58° 38' 40.00",W3° 01' 25.00",+003500.00</WorldPosition>
        </ATCWaypoint>
        <ATCWaypoint id="EGPA">
            <ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N58° 57' 17.00",W2° 54' 12.00",+000052.00</WorldPosition>
            <ICAO><ICAORegion>EG</ICAORegion><ICAOIdent>EGPA</ICAOIdent></ICAO>
        </ATCWaypoint>
    </FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
</SimBase.Document>
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